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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

No one can pronounce my baby's name!

235 replies

Bewilderbeastie · 18/09/2020 08:40

Had my baby this year - decided upon a name which is definitely not common but (we thought) really not difficult. It's very short, two syllables, no special characters, nothing odd about how you pronounce it (it's very say what you see).

We both saw it, loved it, didn't consider people would she trouble with it... But they do! I've heard every wrong iteration of it. Even when we say what the correct pronunciation is, people continue to struggle?! We've been witnessing this with growing horror and worried now we've saddled our child with a name that will haunt them for life. Every time I hear someone say it wrong, I cringe inside. I can only imagine what it's going to be like for my LO.

It can be shortened even further, so that's an option. But it's not the name we fell in love with.

Any tips on dealing with this? Both my husband and I have very trad names so never had this ourselves. It gets a bit awkward to keep correcting people... Help!

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Queenfreak · 18/09/2020 09:07

My mil has been mispronouncing my daughters name since she was born. I correct her every time.
My daughter is 3.5!

Original poster
Bewilderbeastie · 18/09/2020 09:04

Thanks all for repsonses. I know it's annoying not to just say the name, obviously it's quite outing (as it's really not common) and a few people I know are on here. I mostly wanted to hear from those who've either been in a similar position with their own name, or their child's name. I can't help thinking we've done something awful!

However very good points about lots of 'common' names being mispronounced too. I guess we just worry because even when we correct people (out loud, even saything things like 'X, rhymes with Y') they STILL mispronounce it. Baffling. I guess it's just a new word to them and they find it hard. It's just really surprised us...

OP posts:
SmileyClare · 18/09/2020 08:58

Perhaps if you tell us the name, people can offer more helpful advice? Is there a reason for not saying what it is on here?

MikeUniformMike · 18/09/2020 08:58

Given that people even get a simple and popular name like Edie wrong, it's not necessarily the name.

What is the name?

Is it something like Elena, where you want to say it Ellen-ah but get Elaina or Elenna, and would need to stick to Ellie?

MummaLaw · 18/09/2020 08:58

There’s loads of names which can and are pronounced in different ways, i’d totally understand people maybe guessing and sayinf it differently to how you do if they’re new to meeting you/your child. Its very ignorant if people are still saying it wrong when you’ve told them how you pronounce it! I have a name which people pronounce differently all the time and honestly it’s not bothered me, I just correct people if they get it wrong, then again if they get it wrong again. Once I’ve told them, if they do it again it’s more embarrassing for them than me id say! Don’t let other people’s ignorance make you feel differently about a name you love, people who are close to your family and those who will be close to your child will make sure they are saying it correctly

SmileyClare · 18/09/2020 08:53

It must only be when people see it written down and try to pronounce it for the first time? I mean, once you or your child (when older) have introduced themselves with the correct pronunciation then it's fine?
I don't think this is going to be a huge problem in the future.

My friend called her daughter Edie (pronounced ee- dee) and does get rather annoyed with health visitors, the doctor or her nursery when they read it and call her Eddie. Confused
It happens a lot but you just have to correct them once I suppose.

yellowmaoampinball · 18/09/2020 08:48

As someone who's name is almost always mispronounced, I would say don't stress. It was annoying when I was younger but as I got older I really liked/like having an unusual name. I also worked out that it was a good dickhead barometer. Mine is also 2 syllables and very easy once you know how. People who completely refuse to even try and say it correctly once I (very nicely) correct them, tell me everything I need to know about them.

LadyMinerva · 18/09/2020 08:48

Well, seems like you have a few options here. Learn to deal with it and continue correcting and in turn have LO have to spend life doing that too, shorten it or change it completely. Not much else I can offer I'm afraid.

I've a name that's not common these days and quite uncommon outside of the small area it hails from, then has unique spelling to top it off and I can tell you that it's been the bane of my existence. I Iove the way the spelling looks but I hate having to constantly repeat myself

AwkwardPaws27 · 18/09/2020 08:46

What's the name?
It's funny and annoying how the same spelling gets different pronunciations - I used to work with a Leah (Lee-uh) who used to get called Lay-err at lot.
Also, I'd say Mia like Mee-ah, but some would pronounce it My-ah.

TheGirlWhoLived · 18/09/2020 08:45

Hmm hard to say without knowing the name but options are

a) get in there first with pronunciation (this is my son - Vilhelm, or if written down (ie Facebook announcement) Willhem was born today (pronounced Vilhelm) all happy and healthy etc

b) Correct the person once “oh actually it’s pronounced Vilhelm :)” and assume they won’t do it again

Sometimes the easiest names to pronounce are pronounced wrongly and need to be corrected so it’s not necessarily a reflection on poor name choice. If it suits him, go for it